Here's how you can establish yourself as a public speaker at the start of your career.

To become a successful public speaker, it's important to set clear goals right from the start. Begin by asking yourself why you want to speak and what message you want to share with others. Understand what topics you are passionate about and be clear if there is any topic you wish to make your niche? Also what do you wish to achieve from.your speaking endeavours- do you wish to educate or inspire change? Practice speaking in front of a mirror or in front of small groups to get comfortable & learn from each experience. With each speech, set a goal to improve one thing - whether it's your delivery, engagement levels, body language or storytelling. Keep pushing yourself, & over time, you'll grow into a confident, skilled public speaker.

Practice your speech. Once you have your content and structure ready, you need to practice your speech until you feel confident and comfortable. You can practice by yourself, in front of a mirror, or with a recorder. You can also ask for feedback from a friend, a colleague, or a coach. That comes along with the following: Identify Your Niche Create a Website or Blog Write Articles or White Papers. Get Involved with Speaking Organizations. Speak at Free Events. Give Interviews. Get Involved with Online Communities. Get Involved with Meetups and Networking Events.

Define that big picture purpose. Think bigger than you and your career. Focus on what you have to give rather than what you have to gain. And how do you, specifically, want to share that with the world? This generous sense of purpose will keep you motivated and on track - especially during the tougher times.

In every endeavor, it's crucial to have a destination in mind before setting out. This principle is especially pertinent to the art of public speaking. Consider your objectives: do you aspire to carve out a career as a professional speaker, enhance your oratory abilities for professional settings, or perhaps deliver a captivating TED Talk? Each of these ambitions, while distinct, demands specific strategies and dedicated effort. For instance, embarking on a path to professional speaking typically necessitates a higher level of specialized training compared to simply honing your skills for workplace presentations. A precise vision of your goals is instrumental in steering you towards them, ensuring a more effective and triumphant journey.

Probably the #1 thing I would recommend is have a story worth hearing and a message the brings value. A story worth hearing connect on an emotional level with that audience. Too often, people have great content - the how to - but they don't emotionally resonate with an audience. Second, focus on a niche audience where your story and message have the most value. If you're not used to being in front of people, I'd encourage you to find a local club, like a Rotary, to speak to. Do it for free at the start. Your ultimate value going to be driven by how much does someone change as a result of listening to you, so make sure your message also has a clear 'next step' for your audience.

Use storytelling, humor, and real-world examples to connect with your audience. Practice your delivery to build confidence and ensure a smooth flow. Remember, the goal is to inform, inspire, and entertain.

My favorite part of putting a presentation together is researching the topic beforehand! I've found statistics, data, and quotes have a profound impact on the audience's ability to really "buy in" to your message. I try to include at least 2 research based supporting facts for every sub-topic I share (usually 3 within each presentation).

When it comes to Public Speaking, everything that happens around you is a content. Be intentional about taking notes of happenings and paying attention to details and these may serve as a content or instance for specific topics. Speaking from experience, I once developed one of my LinkedIn contributions which earned me a top facilitation voice into a complete topic which I included to my Public Speaking training topics/modules.

- Develop engaging and relevant speech topics that resonate with your audience - Tailor your content to suit different speaking formats, such as keynote speeches, workshops, or panel discussions - Incorporate storytelling and personal anecdotes to connect with your audience on a deeper level Example: - Craft a speech on "Overcoming Adversity in the Workplace" that shares personal experiences and actionable tips for resilience, suitable for both corporate events and educational seminars.

Crafting content for public speaking is like building an ark—not just for survival, but to carry a transformative message. Like Noah, detail your research and structure your speech to ensure it resonates deeply. Remember, the strength of your ark lies not only in its cargo but in navigating the currents of conversation. As Solomon advises in Ecclesiastes 12:10, seek words that are both delightful and truthful, designed to enlighten, engage, and inspire.

Your ability to show up powerfully on stage is in direct relation to the ability you have off the stage. Continue to develop your craft off the stage and then your craft will be developed on the stage.

- Practice public speaking regularly, whether through Toastmasters, workshops, or virtual platforms - Seek feedback from mentors, peers, or professional coaches to improve your delivery and presentation skills - Hone skills such as body language, vocal variety, and stage presence to captivate and engage your audience Example: - Attend a public speaking workshop to enhance your storytelling abilities and receive constructive feedback on your speech delivery from experienced speakers.

It is also important to note that Public Speaking is an art that requires consistent practice to master. The more you practise, the more you get better at it and the less you practise, the more you struggle with it. As a starter, be on the look out for events where you can volunteer to speak or organise your own periodical events like going live on LinkedIn or other social media platforms to harness your expertise in this field. Be intentional about airing your views during meetings, workshops or seminars.

Consider also exploring the psychological aspects of influence and persuasion. Understanding the cognitive and emotional triggers that captivate an audience can elevate your speeches from informative to truly transformative. Combining this deeper understanding with continuous skill refinement ensures that your public speaking not only communicates but also connects and convinces.

The biggest mistake I see speakers who are early on in their careers make, is simply rushing out the door after an event, conference, etc… It’s all about who you know, how you make them feel, and the time you take to engage with them after you are on stage.

In addition to broadening your network, consider cultivating depth in those relationships. Personalized follow-ups, sharing relevant articles or resources, and offering mutual support can transform casual contacts into valuable allies. As you establish these deeper connections, your network becomes a robust community, actively engaged and eager to support your speaking journey. This level of networking not only expands your reach but also enhances your influence within the community, making every speech and interaction more impactful.

For any public speaker networking is very important. You must connect with your fellow speakers, event organizers, and corporate professionals. You should also connect to people online on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. Especially on Linkedin connect with other public speakers and also upload public speaking video clips. Attend conferences, seminars, events, and workshops to meet people who can provide you with better opportunities. Also, engage yourself with audience as soon as the session ends. It will also help you to judge your own feedback. The more you network the more you will be able to shine your personal brand and gain exposure. Remember that every interaction you will make is an opportunity.

Networking is the bedrock on which Public speaking is built. This is why it is called PUBLIC SPEAKING. Because you want to reach out to the public, you first have to make connections with this public and network with them. This helps you establish authority in the field. The wider your network, the more you get visible and establish credibility as a speaker.

At the start of your career, establishing yourself as a public speaker can be significantly enhanced by networking widely. Engage with industry professionals, join relevant organizations, and attend events where you can connect with potential mentors and speaking opportunities. Leverage social media platforms and professional networks to share your insights and participate in discussions, showcasing your expertise and building your personal brand. By actively seeking and nurturing relationships within your field, you’ll gain visibility, access to speaking engagements, and valuable recommendations that can propel your public speaking career forward.

It's 2024. Leverage social media. Showcase your ability to communicate on camera so people can understand how you could communicate on stage. Social media is also a great way to showcase your knowledge and expertise on the topics you choose to talk on as well.

Remember, you are standing in front of a group of people, peers, webinar attendees, because: 1. You are establishing yourself as an expert (at any level) on the topic at hand 2. You have something (learning experience or discovery) to share on the topic 3. You have can add value to their job, career, or even make their day With this in mind, go out with confidence and humility that people will learn from you and the informational goals you've set out for your speech. You are a real person, with real experiences, and you want to share it with the world!

Your success on social media, on stage as a keynote speaker, within the marketplace as a business owner, etc. is determined about the value you offer. Who do you serve? What problems do you solve? The bigger the problems you solve, the bigger the paycheck.

It can be liberating to know that - both before and after you speak - no one knows or cares who you are. Hours after you finish speaking most people have forgotten your name (how many speakers do you remember?) - that’s because it’s never about you - it’s only about your message and how it can help them. So make your message count, actually care about the people you’re speaking to and tell the story so that your audience can see, hear and imagine themselves doing the thing you’re describing. Make sure it’s useful and, ideally, fun and you stand a decent chance of triggering a thought, idea or decision that people will remember even after they’ve left your talk.

It can be liberating to know that - both before and after you speak - no one knows or cares who you are. Hours after you finish speaking most people have forgotten your name (how many speakers do you remember?) - that’s because it’s never about you - it’s only about your message and how it can help them. So make your message count, actually care about the people you’re speaking to and tell the story so that your audience can see, hear and imagine themselves doing the thing you’re describing. Make sure it’s useful and, ideally, fun and you stand a decent chance of triggering a thought, idea or decision that people will remember even after they’ve left your talk.